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What Parents Can Expect at Teen Doctor’s Appointments

Adolescence is a time of rapid physical, emotional, and social changes. One important aspect of this transition is helping teens take a more active role in their health care. Pediatricians design adolescent well-child visits to support families in this process, gradually preparing teens for independent health management.

What to Expect at Adolescent & Teen Checkups

Every doctor has their own approach, but most begin the adolescent office visit with both the parent and teen in the room. During this time, the we will ask questions about:

  • The past year’s medical history and any ongoing health concerns
  • Current medications, including alternative treatments
  • Eating, sleeping, and exercise habits
  • School performance, family dynamics, and friendships

While parents often provide much of this information, teens are encouraged to contribute as well. At some point during the visit, we may then ask the parent to step outside the room while we ask the adolescent some questions one-on-one..

Why One-on-One Time is Important

The purpose of private discussion one-on-one is to help build trust between the doctor and patient and help allow adolescents take ownership of their health. This step allows teens to become more comfortable discussing personal health matters and making informed decisions as they transition into adulthood. While it may be hard to accept, there might be things your child wants to discuss about their health that they would rather not discuss in front of you.While this process may feel difficult, it’s essential in preparing teens for independence. Our goal as pediatricians is to help work alongside you to guide teens as they navigate this new stage of life.

Common Parent Questions

What if my child doesn’t want to be alone with the doctor?

It’s common for teens to resist this change, but that’s exactly why it’s beneficial. Developing independence means learning to communicate with trusted adults, including medical professionals. We are trained to identify health issues, including mental health concerns, and can provide a safe space for teens to ask questions and express concerns they may hesitate to share with parents.

As your child starts seeing changes in puberty, or even a few years before, it can be helpful to go ahead and make your child aware that they can start expecting you to leave the room during their appointments for a period of time. You might say something along the lines of, “Now that you’re getting older, it’s important that you feel comfortable talking with your doctor for yourself. At your next doctor’s appointment, I may leave the room for a few minutes. You can feel safe talking with ____ about anything that you need to.”   

Why does the doctor need to speak to my teen alone?

During adolescence, teens naturally begin exploring their independence, which includes making decisions about their health. This can include things about mental and emotional health, sexual health, and even substance use. Private time with the doctor allows them to ask sensitive questions without fear of disappointing their parents. In some cases, teens may need to discuss serious issues that require confidentiality to ensure their safety and well-being. Please be assured that we want to aid in keeping your child healthy when it comes to any of these concerns. 

Will the doctor share what my teen says with me?

Even though your child is a minor, they do have rights to doctor-patient confidentiality. However, there are certain times when we will disclose private information to you, such as if a teen tells us that they are in danger or considering self-harm. For other matters, Georgia law varies on what can be kept confidential and you can read about minor consent and confidentiality when it comes to health here. If you have particular concerns or suspicions about your child being at risk for a health-related problem that they won’t disclose to you, you can always talk to their doctor about your concerns. We are here to help and will encourage teens to communicate openly with their parents and can help facilitate these discussions.

Remember Your Child Will Be An Adult One Day 

As their parent, you work hard to care for and guide them. Ultimately, your teen will develop their own perspectives and priorities. We serve as partners in this process, helping teens manage their health while reinforcing the importance of family communication. While it can be challenging to take a step back, supporting this transition is a vital step in preparing your teen for adulthood. We want to set the groundwork for them to make informed decisions about their health and build trust with providers. 

For questions or any other concerns, Augusta Pediatrics can be reached at (706) 868-0389. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Informational techniques and facts presented here were sourced from healthychildren.org. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.

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